The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-10-18
THE BIDS ARE TOO HIGH
Proposals Again Received for Construct
ing the WashiDgton-Street Pavement.
All, However, Are Above the Estimates-De-
feat of an Ordinance Providing for an As
phalt pavement-0ther Council Matters.

At the meeting of the Council last night much
of the time was given to the proposed improve
ment of Washington street. It came up first in
the submission of bids recently received in re-
Spouse to the second advertisement for pro-
posals. The bids were. with exception,
based Medina stone pavement, and none OF
them, it is thought, will be acceptable as they
indicate total cost considerably above what
had been expected. Walter S. Bigelow bid on
the two classes of stone. that on Medina being
at the of So. "a per square yard, 1856, 500
for the whole work, and the second on smaller
stone being 81. 90 per square yard, or $131, 500
for the pavement entire. The other bids were
from E. T. McClaflin, of New York. So cents per
lineal foot for curbing. and $24 % per neal foot
on both sides for the pavement; Clafflin Paving
Company, So cents for curbing and 1886 for
pavement; W. F. Shanks. of Louisville. So
cents for curling and $25. 40 for pavement. The
papers referred to the appropriate COM
mittee
Later on in taking ordinances from the file for
passage, that relating to the Improvement of
the street with asphalt caused spirited discus
sion the part of Councilman Pearson in its
Defense and of others who opposed il. Council
man Haugh thought that as bids had been re-
cefved on the asphalt improvement. ~ had been
directed by the Council, that the ordinance
should be stricken from the files. Councilman
Pearson said that would not do. as it was intro
ducsd at the request of four ifths Of the prop
erty-holders on the street. They wanted to get
q durable pavement at the least cost. and the
ordinance afforded them the means of ascertain
ing the expense asphalt pavement would
cause. 1t opened ND competition, which ought
to be DONE rs the first ordinance confined the
proposals to Medina stone. When this asphalt
ordinance was introduced the city engineer was
directed not advertise for proposals until it
passed. But it seems he has seen fit to do other
wise, and, q consequence, the bids on Me-
dina stone pavement have been received without
the asphalt people having an opportunity to
send in their proposals.
Councilman Swain asked the city attorney If
the passage of tho asphalt ordinance would
affect that providing for the Medina stone i'm
provement. That officer said its passage by the
Council alone would not affect the ordinance.
but if it passed the Board of Aldermen and
was signed by the Mayor it would by implica-
ton repeal the ordinance for Medina stone. The
bids Medina stone were reported in order to
give the Council an ia ca of the cost of the i'm
provemsnt with that material. They were so
high that it was probable they would not be
cepted; hence, the passage OF the ASPHALT ordin-
ance would open the way for further considera-
ton Of the improvement The vote on the pass
age OF the ordinance was: Yeas-Messrs. Burns,
Dell, Dunn, Haugh, Mack, Markey, McGroarty,
and Pearson-S Nays-Msssrs. Cummings,
McCleand. Newland. Reinecke. Smith, Smith
man-lo. The ordinance contained q special
provision imposing an assessment upon the
Citizens Strsat-railway Company for part of
The cost of the improvement. Its friends were
loath to let the matt er rest this vote and made
al earnest fort to have it reconsidered. which
failed.
The city attorney reported that in view Of the
ii alton arising in boalQ OF Aldermar
a on in reconsidering the award of a contra {
Samuel w. Patterson for improving Indiana
a enue, future advertisements for proposals for
treet improvements were to guard against q
petition tf the difficulty. A provision is to be
In aerted to the effect that no contract will be
considered complete until formal written con-
tract had be On signed by tho contractor.
The bond OF John w. Bowlus, city clerk-elect,
was approved, It is in the sum of 5000, signed
by w. n. Harding, Moses G. McLain, Joseph L.
Fisher and VIM. t. Brown as sureties
An ordinance was passed granting the Indian
apolis Writing Telegraph Company tho use of
the streets and alleys for it's poles and wirea.
This franchise is given condition that the COM
pany holds itself liable for all damages that may
arise through its employees or that may be &C.
casioned by its poles and wires. The company
is also to furnish the city gratuitously with
twenty-five instruments for its Offices fre-en-
gne and reel houses, together with the neces-
sary appliances and connections.